Sunday, January 10, 2010

A Constant Pondering:

What the heck am I supposed to do with the rest of my life?!?

I just returned from a 2 week trip to Europe - my first. It was wonderful. Paris was cold and dreary but beautiful and inspiring. The food - not so great. The start of the trip was filled with jet lag and sleep/body changes associated with waking up in one time zone and flying around the world to another.

We finally got everything in sync...and it was time to travel to Spain. The train ride - long train ride - from Paris, France to Barcelona, Spain was interesting. The countryside took my breath away, inspiration flying out of my pores. I couldn't seem to absorb it fast enough. We rode first class all the way to the border - quite an experience. Then the second part of the trip, we rode in, what must have been, the first train ever made. It was long and slow and bumpy. I watched a couple next to me make a love connection. People-watching at its best!

We flew from Barcelona to Malaga, Spain, to what will be one of my new favorite cities to visit. I climbed a freakin' mountain, thought I would die from doing it, but hey, I made it - however slowly! We walked all around the beautiful city from beach to border. Enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the cafes, wines, pastries, tapas, shopping, sites.

And still it's so good to be back home...in this freakin' cold weather! It was wonderful weather in Spain and freezing temps back home...so weird. I have so much hope for 2010. But I'm right back to the question that has been on my mind constantly for the past few days, weeks, months, years...what the heck am I going to do with my life???

I'm 30, single, nothing to hold me back..so what is?!

I have no idea...but I do have a new "5 year plan"! So exciting and the details are all my own - a secret! I'm looking forward to normal temps in my old house so that I can start cleaning and reorganizing my life. Once my studio is back on track (I was so productive the last few months of 2009 - my studio is a nightmare!!!), I'm planning on taking an online art class.

I've never taken an online art workshop. I did purchase the DVDs from two workshops of a favorite artist of mine, Tamara Laporte. She taught me so much in her dvds, but I want to branch out, learn from others. I fought with my decision, who to go with: Tam, Julie Pritchard, SuziBlu, etc...nothing quite matching what I envisioned.

So I struggled with determining which online art class / workshop I would join. After 2 days of research I was right where I started...dreading the "only other option." But I refused to give up and dug deeper. And sure enough...I found a winner: Monica Zuniga from www.handsandheart.ning.com . Her work is fantastic and makes me want to fight the freezing temps in my old, uninsulated house to get that studio in order...stat!! I look forward to the learning ahead of me.

Now that I am not formally going to university, I can get back to other things...writing, exercise, cooking, art...okay okay so I never really "got" into cooking in the first place...or exercise for that matter...but there is no time like now to start. I'm searching for better job offers and hoping for the best to come in 2010. I look forward to the changes that this year will bring, especially since I'll be stuck at home since I spent so much money on my vacation!

I can't wait to get back to my writing. As far as I can see, I'm thinking the beginning of the year will be for taxes, writing and art classes...and the second half - who knows. None of my plans ever happen so I won't bother past these hopes and dreams.

What are you waiting for? What do you plan for 2010?

5 comments:

Winona Cross said...

Mindy--I'm so glad you're home. Want photos. Want to encourage you to follow your dreams, there is little to fear. Don't let society or past ideas interfere with new beginnings. Love you.

Nona

Kara Chipoletti Jones of GriefAndCreativity dot com said...

Nice to eMeet you, Mindy, and thanks for hopping over to Mother Henna for our ATC heART swap! Just added you to the list, and if you have any questions along the way, please just let me know. Miracles to you! k-

Unknown said...

Hi, Mindy. Listen to your heart and your head. They'll lead you in the right direction if you're paying attention. I wish I had paid more attention long ago. I love your blog. It's beautiful. So many of the bloggers I follow do great-looking things. Hop over to mine sometime at janridernewman.blogspot.com. It's not nearly as nice as yours. Best of luck with the rest of your life! Dream and be happy.

Pat Carroll Marcantel said...

Hi, Mindy. We've missed you at BWC! Your blog is beautiful and interesting. Just "keep on keeping on," girl. Writing can be a hard taskmaster but worth the time & effort. Mindy, I no longer have the blog at Much Ado About Something. My blogs are bayoubloggercom-stargazer.blogspot.com and stargazer12.wordpress.com

Funny:a porn site has waylaid my old Much Ado blog name AND my handle! I found this out a couple of days ago...blush, blush. :>)
God bless, dear gal, and try to come over & visit us soon!

Mindy Blanchard said...

Thanks my lovely ladies for the wonderful comments and encouragement. I miss you guys and the BWG gang so much! Hope to make it out there soon. Fingers crossed!